Stanislaus County Alcohol & Drug Prevention

Supporting Academic Success

2009-09-11T12:02:00.000-07:00

All parents want their children to succeed in school—but not every parent knows how to go about it. While every child’s needs are different, there are things you can do that will help all children do their best by instilling good study habits, a love for reading, and a commitment to learning. Click here to read Tips for Parents: Supporting Academic Success.

Safe place for old drugs

2009-09-03T10:42:00.001-07:00

A Modesto Bee photo spot on the Drop the Drugs Event in Turlock. Click here to view.
Overe 20,000 pills/medications collected in Turlock.

Drop the Drugs: Turlock

2009-09-01T09:11:00.000-07:00

Event offers disposal of unused medicines
The latest national studies on drug abuse show prescription medicines are rapidly becoming the drug of choice for teenagers.In an effort to stem the tide of accessibility and to promote environmentally friendly practices, multiple law enforcement and social agencies are joining together for the Drop the Drugs event. Click here to read the complete story.

Teen Drinkers Often Intend to Get Drunk, Survey Finds

2009-09-01T09:07:00.001-07:00

Most teens are not regular drinkers, but those who do drink on a monthly basis are frequently imbibing in order to get drunk, according to a major finding of the 2009 Teen Survey released today from The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse (CASA*) at Columbia University. Click here for complete story.

PEI Plan Implementation Status

2009-07-17T10:07:00.000-07:00

BHRS received State approval for Stanislaus County’s Prevention and Early Intervention (PEI) Plan in May 2009. Initial steps towards implementation of the Plan include (1) Board of Supervisor approval to accept the funds, and (2) the development of a management team to execute the plan.

Current budget issues (both State & local) have slowed implementation, forcing BHRS to extend the anticipated implementation timeline described in the PEI Projects. This extension is unavoidable. Currently, BHRS continues to reorganize to accommodate budget cuts by restructuring all parts of the organization, re-assigning staff and, unfortunately, implementing reductions in force. For now, we have an approved budget that is "whole"; however, depending on what happens with the State budget that could change. BHRS does not have any reason to believe that MHSA-PEI funds are at-risk, and we are fortunate to have these new funds to establish community-based prevention and early intervention programs. PEI programs support the Board of Supervisors’ commitment to Healthy Communities, and BHRS has taken the community’s direction to ensure that outcomes are strongly incorporated into the Plan from the beginning. Our hope is that these programs become a lasting and valuable asset that continues the momentum of increasing our diverse communities' capacity to develop, support and strengthen emotional health and wellness for everyone.

When BHRS takes substantive steps to implement the PEI Plan, there will be clear announcements posted on this website, e-mails sent to all who have attended BHRS planning events and announcements/public notices placed in seven key newspapers in the County. It will be hard to miss the announcements!

In the meantime, we are preparing whatever we can prior to implementation.
Thank you for your patience, commitment and continued partnership. If you have any questions - please give us a call.

Setting Up a Neighborhood Watch Program

2009-04-15T08:08:00.000-07:00

From Examiner.com - Launched in 1972, Neighborhood Watch is a crime prevention program joining citizens and law enforcement, with the citizens keeping a trained eye and ear on their communities to make them safe. The program, sponsored by the National Sheriff’s Administration (NSA), took off quickly: in just ten years, 12 percent of the population was involved in a Neighborhood Watch, according to NSA.

For valuable tips on how to start your own Neighborhood Watch Program click here.

Smoking Marijuana = Supporting Drug Cartels

2009-04-15T07:52:00.000-07:00

As the drug war rages in Mexico, some antidrug advocates are using the occasion to jump-start a movement against marijuana.

From the Wall Street Journal - Every April 20, marijuana smokers around the country light up for an unofficial holiday celebrating pot that stems from the smoker slang "420." This year, as the drug war rages in Mexico, the festivities fall against an increasingly violent backdrop. Some antidrug advocates are using the occasion to jump-start a movement against marijuana not just for health and legal reasons, but on moral grounds. American pot smokers, they say, are unwittingly supporting drug cartels in Mexico.

Aaron Byzak, president of the North Coastal Prevention Coalition, an antidrug group in north San Diego County, says he'll focus on the Mexican drug war when he addresses 1,000 seventh- to 10th-graders at the group's annual antidrug festival, also held on April 20, at an amusement park in Vista, Calif. Mr. Byzak will urge the kids to think of Mexico's drug lords if they're offered a puff.

To read the complete story in the Wall Street Journal click here.

What do the numbers say about marijuana use by young people? Click here to find out from the latest Monitoring the Future survey.

Alcohol Related Services Act of 2009 (AB 1019)

2009-04-14T08:46:00.000-07:00

From Marin Institute - The Alcohol Related Services Act (AB 1019) is a bill authored by Assembly Member Jim Beall (D - San Jose). The legislation establishes the Alcohol-Related Services Program (ARS) within the California Department of Alcohol and Drug Programs.

WHY AN ALCOHOL FEE?

- Published research has shown that alcohol causes more than $38 billion in harm annually. Of this amount, approximately $8 billion is paid for by the California government (by both state and county agencies).
- The ARS Program is specifically designed to mitigate the enormous social and economic harm caused by alcohol sales in California. The bill would assess a mitigation fee (not a tax) on spirits, wine and beer, equivalent to 10 cents a drink for beer, wine, and spirits.
- Because the bill creates a fee program, only a majority vote of both houses is required, with the Governor’s signature. This mitigation fee, or charge for harm, will generate approximately $1.44 billion to pay for alcohol-related services in California.
- Currently, the alcohol industry bears no economic responsibility for the problems its products cause. California lags in charging for alcohol harm compared to the progress made in tobacco control over the last 40 years. Most of the fees will be paid by the heaviest alcohol producers, which are foreign corporations such as Anheuser-Busch InBev, SAB Miller, and Diageo.

For the complete story or to take action click here to visit the Marin Institute website.

Marin Institute Publishes New Guide For Regulating Alcohol Advertising

2009-04-14T08:35:00.000-07:00

Critical Tool for Advocates and Policymakers to Protect Youth

From Marin Institute - Marin Institute, the alcohol industry watchdog, today released the country’s first guide to restricting out-of-home (OOH) alcohol advertising. The guide will help policymakers draft effective state and local laws to minimize youth exposure to ubiquitous alcohol advertising in the 21st Century.

“Decades of research and common sense tell us that the more often youth are exposed to alcohol ads, the more likely they are to drink,” stated Marin Institute’s Research and Policy Director Michele Simon. “Marin Institute’s new guide offers new tools to local and state advocates and lawmakers to enact legally-defensible policies to protect youth from harmful messages that lead to problem drinking.”

Out-of-home advertising encompasses traditional billboards, ads plastered on public transit vehicles, buildings and “street furniture” such as newspaper stands and kiosks, as well as new high-tech options like video display terminals, digital billboards, and ambient advertising. Spending on such advertising venues grew to over $8 billion dollars in 2008, with the alcohol industry being one of the largest purchasers.

To read the complete press release and to download a copy of the guide click here.

The NSDUH Report: Nonmedical Use of Adderall® among Full-Time College Students

2009-04-13T11:37:00.000-07:00

Nearly 90% of the full-time college students who had used Adderall® nonmedically in the past year also were past month binge alcohol drinkers and more than half were heavy alcohol users.

From the Office of Applied Studies (OAS) - Among persons aged 18 to 22, full-time college students were twice as likely to use Adderall® nonmedically in the past year as those who had not been in college at all or were only part-time students.

Students under the legal drinking age who used Adderall® were also more likely to be binge drinkers or heavy drinkers than their underage counterparts who had not used Adderall® nonmedically.

For more interesting statistics from OAS and to read the National Survey on Drug Use and Health report click here.

To learn more about risks and consequences, signs and symptoms of the abuse of prescription drugs like Adderall and Ritalin click here to visit Parents. The Anti Drug.

Why are college students abusing stimulant drugs? For some insight to this question click here to visit the website of University of Miami's student newspaper The Miami Hurricane or click here to read an interesting article from Canada's McLean's Magazine.

Report: Alcohol Laws Save Lives

2009-04-13T11:15:00.000-07:00

It is estimated that zero-tolerance and purchase/possession laws save 732 lives each year.

From Join Together - Laws that prevent alcohol purchases and possession by youth are the most effective at preventing drunk-driving fatalities, according to a new report that also praises as effective license suspensions for underage alcohol offenses and zero-tolerance laws for drivers under 21 found with alcohol in their system.

HealthDay News reported April 6 that researcher James C. Fell of the Pacific Institute on Research and Evaluation estimated that zero-tolerance and purchase/possession laws save 732 lives each year, and that another 165 lives could be saved annually if all states adopted the most effective laws.

'Use-and-lose' laws cut alcohol-related traffic crashes by 5 percent, according to the study, which looked at national databases on drunk driving and six state laws aimed at reducing underage drinking and four other laws that addressed drunk driving in general.

To read the complete story visit Join Together here.

New Study Reveals Snapshot of a Binge Drinker

2009-04-07T10:08:00.000-07:00

CDC Says Typical Binge Drinker is White, Young, Relatively Affluent Male

From Join Together - A new study from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says that binge drinking is most common among whites, men, individuals aged 18-24, and those with an annual income of more than $50,000 annually, HealthDay News reported April 2.

CDC researchers studied data on about 63,000 Americans and found that 17.5 percent of binge drinkers were white, 24.3 percent were male, and 27.4 percent were between the ages of 18 and 24 (24.4 percent were ages 24-34).

To read the complete story in Join Together click here.

What defines binge drinking? What are the risks? To learn more click here.

For more information on binge drinking specifically in adolescents and college students visit SAMHSA here.

For a variety of scientific research news about binge drinking visit ScienceDaily.

SAMHSA Report: Exposure to Substance Use Prevention Messages and Substance Use among Adolescents 2002 to 2007

2009-04-03T13:27:00.000-07:00

Survey Finds a Decrease in the Percentage of Adolescents Seeing Substance Use Prevention Messages in the Media

SAMHSA News Release - A new national report issued during National Alcohol Awareness Month provides both discouraging and encouraging news about the state of efforts to inform young people about the risks of underage drinking and illicit substances.

The report, based on a series of national surveys, finds that a smaller percentage of adolescents (age 12-17) were exposed to substance use prevention messages in 2007 (77.9 percent) than in 2002 (83.2 percent). Similarly, a smaller percentage of adolescents are participating in out of school substance use prevention programs (from 12.7 percent in 2002 to 11.3 percent in 2007), according to the report by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).

However, the report shows a significant rise during this same period in the level of adolescents who engaged in substance abuse-related conversations with at least one parent (from 58.1 percent in 2002 to 59.6 percent in 2007). The report shows that these conversations are associated with lower rates of current substance use by an adolescent.

To view the complete SAMHSA press release and to access the full report click here.

Spring is in the Air: Underage Drinking Prevention in Stanislaus County

2009-04-03T10:54:00.000-07:00

Programs take aim at teens:
Proms, grad nights can lead to drinking

From the Modesto Bee - Spring is when the weather gets warmer, the sun shines brighter and flowers blossom.

It's also a time for high school proms, senior trips and graduation, all occasions in which some teens celebrate with alcohol.

To combat the surge in teen drinking over the next few months, law enforcement and school officials have increased their efforts to educate students about the risks of underage drinking. High schools tackle the problem in a variety of ways, from guest speakers and health fairs to assemblies and the "Every 15 Minutes" program, where fake DUI deaths or car accidents are staged near campus.

To read the complete story in the Modesto Bee click here.

To learn more about what can be done by young people and their families to prevent risky behaviors during end of the school year celebrations visit the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Agency (SAMHSA) Health Information Network here.

For information about countywide Party Patrol efforts visit BHRS' Crowd Project website.

What Kids Need: Spiritual Development

2009-04-03T09:31:00.000-07:00

Spiritual development involves core issues of meaning, purpose, belonging, and identity that give young people a sense that they matter and are part of something bigger than themselves.

From Search Institute - The Center for Spiritual Development in Childhood and Adolescence is a global initiative to advance the research and practice of this important and understudied domain of human development. Search Institute, with major support from the John Templeton Foundation, is designing the center to become an international hub of theory, research, and practice.

What Makes the Center Unique?
- The center integrates current understandings of human development with spiritual development.
- The center recognizes spiritual development as linked to, but not the same as, religious development. It seeks to engage both religious and secular thought leaders, scholars, and practitioners in examining and attending to young people’s spiritual development.
- The center is intentionally multi-faith, multicultural, and interdisciplinary, bringing together insights and perspectives from the social sciences, religious studies, and other fields.
- The center is international, seeking to examine spiritual development in a global context.

To learn more about Search Institute's approach, research, and commitment to spiritual development in young people click here.

Spiritual development is one of four innovations the Search Institute supports to help kids succeed. To learn more about what it takes to help young people grow up successfully click here.

Trend Alert: "Smoking" Smarties

2009-04-03T09:09:00.000-07:00

Middle-school students have found a new use for Smarties candy -- "smoking" them.

From Join Together - The Wall Street Journal reported March 20 that students are crushing the sugary candy discs into a powder, tearing off one end of the cellophane wrapper, pouring the powder into their mouths, and then blowing the dust out of their mouths and nose.

Adults worry about the health ramifications associated with such behavior, but they are also concerned that it may lead to kids smoking cigarettes or marijuana.

To read the complete story on Join Together click here.

To view an instructional video posted on youtube for how to smoke smarties click here.

States Looking at Alcohol in a New Light

2009-04-01T15:00:00.000-07:00

From Marin Institute - Legislative bodies in numerous states have introduced bills regarding alcohol advertising, alcopops, and/or taxes on alcoholic beverages. Also, a few governors have included alcohol taxes in recent state budget proposals.

To find out more or to take action on important issues related to alcohol click here to visit the Marin Institute's website.

Current information for California can be found by visiting the California State Legislature's website.

Report: Treatment Admissions for Prescription Pain Killers on the Rise

2009-03-18T15:27:00.000-07:00

Largest share of treatment admissions is still for alcohol abuse, but a significant decrease seen over the past decade

Released March 17, 2009 from SAMHSA - Treatment admissions for prescription pain killer misuse has risen dramatically over the past decade – from constituting 1 percent of all admissions in 1997 to now representing 5 percent, according to a report by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).

The Treatment Episode Data Set (TEDS) 2007 Highlights report also indicates that although alcohol-related admissions still account for the largest share (40 percent) of the 1.8 million treatment admissions occurring throughout the country during 2007, this reflects a reduction from 50 percent in 1997.

The TEDS 2007 Highlights report is the latest in a series of yearly reports, developed by SAMHSA, providing demographic and other information on substance abuse treatment admissions from state licensed treatment facilities (most of them publicly-funded) across the country. Although it does not include information on all treatment admissions, it is the largest, most comprehensive study of its kind and provides a vast array of specialized data on the characteristics of substance abuse treatment in the United States.

To read the complete release in the SAMHSA Newsroom click here.

Is it an epidemic? Click here to learn more about prescription drug abuse.

Study: Alcohol Images Increase Consumption

2009-03-17T13:58:00.000-07:00

"Money, not morality, is the principle of commerce and commercial nations." -Thomas Jefferson

From Marin Institute - There have been numerous studies evaluating the media’s influence and portrayal of alcoholic beverages. But until now, there has never been research conducted on whether alcohol in commercials, television or the movies have an actual effect on drinking behavior.

A new study published in Oxford Journals: Alcohol and Alcoholism shows that alcohol images directly influence drinking. Participants of the study increased alcohol consumption when watching films and commercials featuring alcohol.

The study’s findings are timely, considering Absolut Vodka’s recent ad which ran during the Grammy Awards, reaching a primetime audience of underage youth. Paris-based, global alcohol giant Pernod Ricard was the first to disregarded the long-established voluntary liquor ad ban on U.S. TV.

The Center on Alcohol Marketing and Youth (CAMY) maintains an up-to-date gallery of print and television alcohol advertising. To view the gallery click here.

To view CAMY's recent report "Youth Exposure to Alcohol Advertising on Television, 2001 to 2007" click here.

Study: Investing in Prevention Yields Big Return for Society

2009-03-17T08:49:00.000-07:00

$1 Spent on Prevention Saves $10, Study Says

From Join Together - Investing in addiction prevention programs yields a 10-1 return for society, according to researchers from Iowa State University (ISU) who studied the Iowa Strengthening Families Program and the Life Skills Training Program.

Researchers Richard Spoth, Ph.D., and Max Guyll, Ph.D. detailed findings from the "Prevention's Cost Effectiveness: Illustrative Economic Benefits of General Population Interventions" and "Prevention of Substance-related Problems: Effectiveness of Family-focused Prevention" studies for a conference sponsored by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and the World Health Organization.

"Effective and efficient prevention promises to save possibly billions of dollars per year, provided we can learn how to effectively implement it on a larger scale," said Spoth, director of ISU's Partnerships in Prevention Science Institute (PPSI).

What is the economic cost of methamphetamine in the United States? To find out click here.

What is the economic impact of underage drinking? The numbers may startle you! Learn more here.

Obama's New Drug Czar: Calling for a Coordinated Comprehensive Approach

2009-03-16T10:13:00.000-07:00

The challenge requires prevention, treatment, and enforcement - and it starts with our youth.

From Join Together - Seattle Police Chief Gil Kerlikowske has been officially announced as President Barack Obama's "drug czar" by the White House, but unlike his recent predecessors, he will not serve as a member of the president's Cabinet.

"With escalating violence along our Southwest border and far too many suffering from the disease of addiction here at home, never has it been more important to have a national drug control strategy guided by sound principles of public safety and public health," said Obama in a March 11 press release. "We must demonstrate to our international partners, the criminal organizations threatening to undermine stability and the rule of law in those nations, and the American people, that we take seriously our responsibility to reduce drug use in the United States. Gil Kerlikowske has the expertise, the experience, and the sound judgment to lead our national efforts against drug trafficking and use, and he will make an excellent addition to my administration."

In a White House ceremony, Vice President Joseph Biden -- who helped create the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) and has been a key architect of federal drug policy for decades -- said Kerlikowske "brings a lifetime of experience working on drug-policy issues. He has worked on the issue at all levels from the Department of Justice to the front lines as a major city chief. He understands that combating drugs requires a comprehensive approach that includes enforcement, prevention and treatment."

"What I find most appealing about [Kerlikowske] is that he says we can't operate in 'silos' -- with barriers thrown up between the criminal-justice system, the prevention and treatment community, and the recovery components of this problem ... He knows we need a comprehensive answer," said Biden. "And that's exactly what the vision we had in mind when we first ... created that office ... We know we needed tough laws, and we have tough laws. But that wasn't enough. We needed a balanced approach in combating drugs -- one that included prevention, treatment and enforcement."

Click here to read the complete story in Join Together.

To read the White House's May 11 release in the President's Briefing Room click here.

Shoulder Tap Operations: Think Twice About Buying Alcohol for Minors

2009-03-16T09:23:00.000-07:00

25 arrested in Stanislaus County on suspicion of furnishing alcohol to a minor.

From the Modesto Bee - Authorities say some adults still are buying booze for minors, so more than 50 law enforcement officials hit the streets Saturday in Stanislaus County and 11 other Northern California counties in a coordinated effort to catch these people.

The officials participated in an undercover sting called a "shoulder tap," in which underage decoys stood outside stores and randomly asked adults to buy them a six-pack.

The entire operation, coordinated by Modesto police, was the largest ever such sting in Northern California, with officials from 17 law enforcement agencies working on the same day, said Modesto police Detective James Rokaitis.

For the complete story in the Modesto Bee click here.

Why is 21 the legal drinking age? Find out more here.

What Kids Need: Thriving and Sparks

2009-03-13T13:15:00.000-07:00

A spark is something that gives your life meaning and purpose. It's an interest, a passion, or a gift. What do you bring to the world that is good, beautiful, and useful?

From Search Institute - Thriving highlights the unique gifts and capacities of each young person. A thriving life involves discovering and nurturing one’s own “spark” and being supported and guided by a family and community that celebrate that spark.

What Are “Sparks”?

SPARKS are…the hidden flames in kids that excite them and tap into their true passions.
SPARKS come from…the gut. They motivate and inspire. They’re authentic passions, talents, assets, skills, and dreams.
SPARKS can…be musical, athletic, intellectual, academic, relational—from playing the violin to enjoying working with kids or senior citizens.
SPARKS can…ignite a lifelong vocation or career, or balance other activities to create an emotionally satisfying, enriched life.
SPARKS get…kids going on a positive path, away from the conflicts and negative issues—violence, promiscuity, drugs and alcohol—that give teens a bad name and attract so much negative energy.
And SPARKS give you the five steps for igniting sparks in your teens.

To learn more about Sparks and to access valuable downloads and resources click here.

To read about the current research on thriving and sparks click here.

Absolut Responsibility: Vodka Company Promoting Moderation

2009-03-12T15:13:00.000-07:00

Just weeks after debuting television advertising during the Grammy Awards, Absolout Vodka is unveiling their "Recognize the Moment" campaign to promote responsible drinking.

From the New York Times - Advertising about drinking responsibly has been appearing for decades. One notable effort — “Know when to say when” — was introduced by Anheuser-Busch in 1982, when the economy was mired in recession.

Responsibility campaigns are considered an effective counterweight to activists who seek to limit or ban advertising for beer, wine and liquor. Now, a best-selling vodka brand is significantly increasing the digital presence of its moderation messages by devoting a section of its Web site to helping drinkers “enjoy with Absolut responsibility.” The moderation messages for Absolut are expected to go live Monday.

For the complete story in the New York Times click here.

To learn more about Absolut's responsibility campaign "Recognizing the Moment" visit their website here.

National Inhalants and Poisons Awareness Week: March 15 - 21, 2009

2009-03-11T09:27:00.001-07:00

One in five students in America has used an inhalant to get high by the time he or she reaches the eighth grade.

From the National Inhalant Prevention Coalition - Parents don't know that inhalants, cheap, legal and accessible products, are as popular among middle school students as marijuana. Even fewer know the deadly effects the poisons in these products have on the brain and body when they are inhaled or "huffed." It's like playing Russian Roulette. The user can die the 1st, 10th or 100th time a product is misused as an inhalant.

Prevention through education has proven to work against this popular form of substance abuse. This is why the National Inhalant Prevention Coalition has developed National Inhalants & Poisons Awareness Week (NIPAW), an annual media-based, community-level program that takes place the third week in March. NIPAW is designed to increase understanding about the use and risks of inhalant involvement.

To learn more about NIPAW click here.

To learn more about inhalants and access other valuable resources visit Parents. The Anti-Drug , The Partnership for A Drug-Free America, or SAMHSA's A Family Guide To Keeping Youth Mentally Healthy & Drug Free .

Drug-Related Crime Prevention: Seizure Money to Help Addicted Homeless

2009-03-10T18:19:00.000-07:00

Merced County Sheriff Mark Pazin says it costs less to help the homeless than to book them on misdemeanor drug violations.

From the Turlock Journal - A faith-based group dedicated to helping homeless drug addicts is receiving some help from the Merced County Sheriff's Department in the form of $30,000 in cash. The $30,000 donation is from asset seizure money the sheriff's department has collected. The money will be given to the United Way Foundation and earmarked to benefit the Merced County Rescue Mission.

The Merced County Rescue Mission plans to use the money to run a one-month long pilot program that will provide food, clothing, shelter, and counseling to homeless drug addicts.

The hope is that the work the mission does with the homeless addicts will result in a decrease in drug-related offenses. Merced County Sheriff Mark Pazin said it costs less to help the homeless than to book them into jail for misdemeanor drug violations."The idea is to keep the mission providing a service so desperately needed as funds are being cut and as the number of homeless are on the rise," MacKenzie said.

Read the complete story here in the Turlock Journal .

Campus Crime Stoppers Hits the Modesto Area

2009-03-10T15:46:00.000-07:00

From The Modesto Bee - As of Feb. 1, students at junior high and high schools in Modesto and Ceres are now part of Campus Crime Stoppers. The Crime Stoppers program, which lets tipsters share information anonymously and gives them a chance to claim rewards, has been in the county since 2005. It has led to more than 136 arrests, including several related to homicide investigations.

Authorities said they hope that encouraging students and their families to get involved will make campuses safer and potentially tap into a gold mine of clues. Now that Crime Stoppers accepts tips via the Web and text messaging, officials say, the program should be easy for students to access.

To read the complete story in The Modesto Bee click here.

To learn more about Campus Crime Stoppers visit the official website here.

What Kids Need: Developmental Assets

2009-03-07T20:01:00.000-08:00

“If you breathe, you’re on the team!” - Peter L. Benson

From the Search Institute - Search Institute's 40 Developmental Assets® are common sense, positive experiences and qualities that help influence choices young people make and help them become caring, responsible adults. Grounded in extensive research in youth development, resiliency, and prevention, the Developmental Assets represent the relationships, opportunities, and personal qualities that young people need to avoid risks and to thrive.

What is an asset builder? Are you one and don't even know it? Do you want to become one? It's easy! Find out more here.

Already on the team? We want to hear your asset-building success stories! Share them below or email them to your BHRS Education and Prevention Team.

"Support 21 Act of 2009" (H.R. 1028)

2009-03-02T13:34:00.000-08:00

From Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) - On February 12, 2009 Representatives Lucille Roybal-Allard (CA-34) and Mary Bono Mack (CA-45) introduced the "Support 21 Act of 2009" (H.R. 1028), legislation to advance the nation’s efforts to prevent and reduce underage alcohol use and its devastating consequences. Representatives DeLauro (CT-3) and Wamp (TN-3) are also original co-sponsors. We congratulate the sponsors for their efforts to address this important youth health and safety concern, and urge support for the bill.

Alcohol is the nation’s number one youth drug problem, causing 5,000 deaths per year among persons under 21. Confronting alcohol problems requires a commitment to a comprehensive national prevention strategy. The "Support 21 Act of 2009" will build on the success of the "Sober Truth on Preventing Underage Drinking (STOP) Act," enacted in 2006, to strengthen the ability of government and communities around the nation to help construct and implement that needed national strategy.

For the complete story and video of the bill being introduced on the house floor visit CSPI here.

To view the document in The Library of Congress click here.

2008 PATS: Teen Study Shows Significant Declines in Meth and Marijuana Use

2009-02-27T11:15:00.000-08:00

From The Partnership for a Drug-Free America (February, 24, 2009)- The Partnership for a Drug-Free America today announced the findings from the 2008 Partnership Attitude Tracking Study, (PATS) which revealed the first major increase in the number of teens who reported “learning a lot” about the risks of drugs from their parents. Research consistently shows that teens who learn a lot about the risks of drugs at home are up to 50 percent less likely to use.

According to the study, teen meth use has experienced a steep three-year drop, with past-month use down to 3 percent of teens – a significant 25 percent decline versus 2005. Teen attitudes about meth use corroborate this drop – 83 percent of teens see great risk in using meth regularly, about 85 percent see great risk in “getting hooked on meth” and more than half of teens, (54 percent) see trying meth once or twice as very risky.

While marijuana remains the most widely used illegal drug among teens, PATS indicates marijuana use has been declining for a decade, with past-year use down 24 percent since 1998, and past-month use down a full 30 percent (from 23 percent of teens down to 16 percent) over the same time period. Teen attitudes also reflect growing social disapproval of the drug, with 35 percent of teens agreeing strongly they “don’t want to hang around with anyone who uses marijuana,” up from 28 percent a decade ago.

The 20th annual national study of 6,518 teens in grades 7-12 is nationally projectable with a +/- 1.3 percent margin of error. PATS Teens 2008 was conducted in private, public and parochial schools for the Partnership by the Roper Public Affairs Division of GfK Custom Research.

For more key findings and the complete report click here.

In An Absolut World: Vodka Ads on Network TV

2009-02-26T14:38:00.000-08:00

From Marin Institute - Disregarding the long-established voluntary ban on liquor ads on TV, Absolut Vodka and its owner, French corporate giant Pernod Ricard, have opened the alcohol advertising floodgates by running an ad on CBS during the Grammy Awards on February 8, 2009.

This dangerous move by Pernod Ricard and CBS places profits ahead of public health and sets into motion the dismantling of a system of self-regulation created by an industry already known for egregious advertising.

The 30-second Absolut spot was the first spirits commercial to appear on a national broadcast TV show, running in 15 of the largest media markets on CBS and affiliate local stations. Determined to push media boundaries, Pernod Ricard reached a primetime audience of underage youth who tuned in to watch their favorite teen idols on the popular music awards show.

How does advertising impact young people? To learn more about the effects of alcohol advertising and marketing on youth visit The Center on Alcohol Marketing and Youth.

Drinking Raises Cancer Risk for Middle-Age Women

2009-02-25T10:17:00.000-08:00

Even one drink a day poses danger, large study finds

Research involving more than a million middle-age women finds that even moderate drinking raises risks for breast, liver and other cancers.

"Even relatively low levels of drinking -- on the order of one alcoholic drink per day -- increase a woman's risk of developing cancer," said lead researcher Naomi Allen, from the cancer epidemiology unit at the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom. "Because a high proportion of women drink low amounts of alcohol regularly and because most of the increased risk is for breast cancer, the risk among women associated with drinking alcohol is of particular importance."

To view the complete story in the U.S. News and World Report click here.

The report is published in the Feb. 24 online edition of the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.

Gallo Prevention Education through the Arts: CRANKED

2009-02-25T09:02:00.000-08:00

On May 7, 2009 Cranked will be coming to the Foster Family Theater at Gallo Center for the Arts as part of Gallo's vision to promote prevention education through the arts.

This remarkable and hugely successful play produced by Vancouver’s Green Thumb Theatre examines the rising epidemic of crystal meth use by teens. Employing spoken word and hip hop, Cranked offers a dramatic exploration of addiction and drug culture. It’s the story of Stan, a rising freestyle DJ who loses it all because of his meth habit and then confronts his demons without the “fix” that has dominated his life. This incredibly powerful and compelling play — with hip hop music played by an on-stage DJ — belongs to today’s generation but can be enjoyed and experienced by everyone from teens to parents and teachers.

An exciting component to Gallo bringing Cranked to our area is the opportunity for community-wide collaboration and education around these performances. Stanislaus County Office of Education, Center for Human Services, City of Patterson / Parks and Recreation, and the Stanislaus County Police Activities League have all stepped up to connect the Cranked message with young people and families in Stanislaus County. These partnerships will allow for students to be invited to showings at Gallo, but will also welcome Cranked out in to the community as well. The Cranked crew will be performing throughout Stanislaus County from May 7 through May 13.

Two public performances at Gallo Center for the Arts will be on May 9 at 2:00 PM and 8:00 PM. Tickets start at just $8.00. For more information and to view a video clip of the play visit the Gallo Center for the Arts website here.

For more information about this performance and others for your school or community please contact Raul Garcia, Community Engagement Coordinator at (209) 338-5020 or rgarcia@galloarts.org.

SAVE THE DATE! Stanislaus County Prevention Summit

2009-02-24T12:40:00.000-08:00

Stanislaus County Behavioral Health and Recovery Services (BHRS) has announced May 12, 2009 as the date to save for the Prevention Summit to be held this spring in downtown Modesto.

A Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) Prevention and Early Intervention (PEI) community event, this year's Prevention Summit focuses on emotional and behavioral health, wellness, and resiliency. Keynote speaker Bonnie Benard, author of Resiliency: What We Have Learned, is one of many resources that will be made available to those interested in strength-based approaches to prevention in Stanislaus County. To learn more about MHSA please visit their website here.

The Prevention Summit will be held on May 12, 2009 from 8 am to 5 pm at Modesto Centre Plaza and the Doubletree Hotel in downtown Modesto. Please share this information with anyone interested in fostering healthy youth and community development in Stanislaus County.

SAVE THE DATE! More information about the day's events will be made available in the near future.

Large-Scale Meth Lab Busted in Turlock; Set Ablaze Days Later

2009-02-23T10:28:00.000-08:00

On February 4, 2009, deputies with the Merced County Sheriff's Tactical and Reconnaissance team and agents from the Merced-Mariposa High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area raided a home on 10 acres in rural Turlock and seized more than 30 pounds of finished methamphetamine, a large quantity of unfinished product, 13 pounds of cocaine, chemicals used to manufacture methamphetamine, and a large sum of cash. Agents estimated the value of the seized drugs to be near one million dollars. The complete story can be found here in the Modesto Bee.

On February 6, the same modular home that had been raided just two days prior burst in to flames. The cause of the fire is still under investigation. The complete story about the blaze can be found here in the Turlock Journal.

Do you know the signs of a meth lab? How is meth made? And how do meth labs affect communities? Find out more about meth at The Partnership for a Drug-Free America.

To report a meth lab please call 1-866-METH LAB - all calls are anonymous.

CBS News' 60 Minutes: Drinking Age Debate

2009-02-23T09:16:00.000-08:00

The Debate On Lowering The Drinking Age
60 Minutes: Some Say Age Should Be Lowered To 18, But MADD And Others Strongly Disagree

February 22, 2009 (CBS) - Last fall, a group of over 100 college presidents - including the heads of Dartmouth, Virginia Tech and Duke - signed a declaration stating that the 21-year-old drinking age is not working, and fireworks went off. But the college presidents got what they wanted: a national debate about the drinking age. When the age was raised to 21 in the mid-1980s, the goal was to reduce highway fatalities. But everyone knows that the 21 age limit hasn't stopped minors from drinking.

And now some experts believe it's actually contributing to an increase in extreme drinking.

Lesley Stahl examines the debate over lowering the drinking age to 18, a controversial idea embraced by some people and roundly criticized by others.

View the CBS News video of Lesley Stahl's report here.
Read the complete CBS news story here.

Report: The Annual Catastrophe of Alcohol in California

2008-07-23T16:50:00.000-07:00

From the Marin Institute. Landmark study: Marin Institute has conducted a landmark research study, estimating the total annual cost of alcohol problems in the state of California. The results include deaths, incidents, and economic costs to individuals and to society. We calculated the annual costs to the health care and criminal justice systems, the lost productivity from deaths, illness, and injury, and the reduced quality of life. Our findings indicate that moderate-to-high alcohol consumption in California requires serious andimmediate attention.
Read the complete report here.

MHSA Prevention & Early Intervention Planning Begins

2008-07-20T10:10:00.000-07:00

Stanislaus County's MHSA Prevention & Early Intervention planning begins. Visit the planning website at www.stanislausmhsa.com for more information.

From alcohol to smoking, valley's diagnosis remains not so good, study say

2008-07-20T10:07:00.000-07:00

From the Modesto Bee. Although the numbers have dropped in recent years, the hard drinking and two-packs-a-day cigarette habit are threatening the health of many valley residents, says a study released Thursday.

Central Valley residents outpace the rest of the state in alcohol and tobacco use. They also are more likely to die from heart attacks, strokes or cancer, health conditions often tied to smoking and alcohol abuse, says a Great Valley Center study on the health status of the Central Valley.

Excessive drinking in the valley has declined since 2003, when almost 30 percent of residents told a statewide survey they had at least one heavy drinking episode in the past month.

Read the complete article here.

Police, teens step up against underage drinking

2008-07-20T09:46:00.000-07:00

From the Modesto Bee. Remember the warm summer nights you used to spend during school break sharing beers with friends under the open sky deep in a field so no one would spot the party?

Those days are over.

Not only are law enforcement officers stepping up efforts to crack down on teen drinking and those who enable it, teens themselves want to quell a problem that can continue to dog them in adulthood.

Read the complete story here.

Drug use starts in youth

2007-12-14T07:31:00.000-08:00

From the Ceres Courier. Illegal drugs, especially methamphetamine (or crank as it is better known on the streets), continues to underlie many of our local crime problems; it has adverse effects on the overall quality of life here and it has significant health care implications. That problem has the attention of Stanislaus County Behavioral Health and Recovery Services and the County Board of Supervisors. Accordingly, they commissioned a research project to learn more about the methamphetamine abuse situation in our county. There are interesting, if not alarming, statistical facts that were revealed by the study. Read the complete story here.

Ceres: Teen booze parties outlawed

2007-12-14T07:25:00.000-08:00

From the Ceres Courier. After months of talking about it, the Ceres City Council adopted an ordinance which makes it illegal for an adult to knowingly host a party where minors drink alcohol.

The Social Host Ordinance was adopted 5-0 on Monday. The second reading and adoption comes on Dec. 10. The ordinance makes it a misdemeanor crime for those hosting alcohol parties for those under the age of 21. Read the complete story here.

Alcohol: A Women's Health Issue

2007-08-30T08:12:00.000-07:00

From NIAAA. Alcohol presents yet another health challenge for women. Even in small amounts, alcohol affects women differently than men. In some ways, heavy drinking is much more risky for women than it is for men.
With any health issue, accurate information is key. There are times and ways to drink that are safer than others. Every woman is different. No amount of drinking is 100 percent safe, 100 percent of the time, for every woman. With this in mind, it’s important to know how alcohol can affect a woman’s health and safety. How much is to Much? Read the complete report here.

Officials say Internet can be gateway to teen drug abuse

2007-08-22T13:38:00.000-07:00

The drug dealers had come into our living room through the Internet
From the Modesto Bee.

Like many teenagers in the Internet age, Ryan Haight used his computer for innocent ventures. He surfed chat rooms with friends, played fantasy baseball and bought baseball cards on eBay.

But Haight also did something authorities say an increasing number of teens do online: He purchased prescription drugs. And in 2001, at age 18, the San Diego area teen died from an overdose.

"The drug dealers had come into our living room through the Internet," Haight's mother, Francine, said Thursday in Sacramento, standing with federal and state authorities trying to spread the message of how dangerous prescription drugs are.

Read the complete story here.

Newman Passes Teen Drinking Law

2007-08-22T11:48:00.000-07:00

From Modesto Bee. From the Modesto Bee. The Newman City Council voted Tuesday night to adopt a social host ordinance that prohibits adults from knowingly providing alcohol to minors. The ordinance levies fines of $500 for the first offense, $1,000 for the second and $1,500 for the third offense. Newman is following the lead of Modesto and Waterford, which recently passed social host ordinances. After months of delay, the Ceres City Council decided against an ordinance Monday night. Instead, Ceres wants to implement a measure that would include only misdemeanor charges. Read the complete here.

Many adults are going AWOL

2007-08-22T11:31:00.001-07:00

From the Ceres Courier. It's really too bad that we live in a society where we have to think about passing a law that cracks down on parties where alcohol is served to minors.

To me it seems that adults should be responsible enough to make sure such parties don't happen, and that their kids don't attend any such parties.

Twice now this year Ceres has seen two such parties that got out of hand. I'm left asking myself, where have all the good adults gone? Read the complete story here.

AGs Urge Crackdown on Marketing of Alcoholic Energy Drinks

2007-08-22T11:23:00.000-07:00

From Join Together.

A group of 28 state attorneys general is calling on the Bush administration to crack down on marketing of alcoholic energy drinks that they say targets youth with potency claims. Read the complete story here.

Tougher social host law due?

2007-08-22T11:08:00.000-07:00

Council skips administrative fines as punishment

From the Ceres Courier. Ceres council members disliked a proposed Social Host ordinance Monday, saying they will order a tougher one instead. The council wants misdemeanor charges applied in a regular court for those caught allowing parties on their premises where minors are consuming alcohol. Red the complete story here.

Prevention Summit

2007-06-28T10:48:00.001-07:00

Prevention Summit Workshop Handouts

“How to Get Youth Excited About Prevention” (Not Available)
Milton Creagh, PRIDE Youth Programs, Atlanta, Georgia

“Communities Mobilizing for Change on Alcohol” (PDF)
Karen Heys, Youth Leadership Institute, San Francisco, CA

“Community-Based Approach to Methamphetamine Prevention” (PDF)
Angela Goldberg, San Diego County Meth Prevention Strike Force

“Stanislaus County Underage Drinking” (PDF)
Nic Frietas, Center for Human Services - Crowd Project, Modesto, CA

“Marijuana 1960-2007” (PDF)
Ralph Cantor, Center for Applied Research Solutions

“Faith-Based Approach to Prevention” (Not Available)
Milton Creagh, PRIDE Youth Programs, Atlanta, Georgia

“What We're Doing About Underage Drinking in our Neighborhood” (Pending)
Esther Rosario, Director, Casa De Rio, Riverbank, CA

New laws taking aim at underage drinking

2007-06-13T08:00:00.000-07:00

Cities put heat on parents to oversee teens at parties
From the Modesto Bee. Cities throughout the region are coming down harder on adults who allow underage drinking.

The trend locally toward enacting underage drinking liability ordinances began in Modesto and has spread to Waterford. Ceres could have one within a month, and Oakdale is considering one, too. The city councils in Patterson and Turlock are expected to take up the issue this summer.

Read the complete story here.

Teens with Money More Likely to Drink Heavily, Study Finds

2007-06-06T10:08:00.000-07:00

From Join Together.

Getting a big allowance may be a risk factor for heavy drinking among teens, a British study suggests.

Reuters reported May 28 that a study of more than 10,000 15- and 16-year-olds concluded that those who received the most money from their parents were more likely to binge drink, buy alcohol, and drink in public. Those who bought their own alcohol were three times more likely than their peers to drink frequently and twice as likely to be regular binge drinkers.

The study hinted that some risky drinking may simply be the result of youths having money to spend on alcohol. The findings indicate that parents should keep better tabs on how kids spend their money and that government needs to do a better job of preventing alcohol sales to minors, said lead study author Mark A. Bellis of Liverpool John Moores University.

The study was published in the May 10, 2007 issue of the journal Substance Abuse Treatment, Prevention and Policy.

Host rule on parties near OK in Ceres

2007-05-30T08:03:00.000-07:00

From the Modesto Bee. CERES — An ordinance that would allow police officers to fine and possibly prosecute adults who knowingly host parties where alcohol is made available to minors is on its way to approval.

The City Council held its first reading of the policy Tuesday night, asking questions of city staff and hearing comment from three community members who urged unanimous approval of the ordinance.

The council's vote was indeed unanimous. The ordinance now needs one more vote of approval before it can be adopted. That is possible in June.

Under the proposed ordinance, if an adult knowingly supplies alcohol to minors at a party, the city can levy fines and charge the adult for the cost of responding to the party.

Fines would be $500 for the first offense, $1,000 for the second and $1,500 for the third offense, according to the draft, which closely mirrors one passed by Modesto in March.

Police Cmdr. Mike Borges said the real effectiveness in the policy lies in allowing officers to break up a party on private property.

City Attorney Michael Lyions said he drafted the proposal after recent underage drinking events garnered national and local exposure, and even led to tragedy.

Ceres police respond to about 30 party calls per month, and the numbers climb to 40 each month during the summer and holidays, according to officers.

If approved, it would take effect within 30 days.

Community groups are pushing similar "social host" ordinances in Patterson, Turlock and at the Stanislaus County level.

Anti-teen drinking effort grows

2007-05-29T11:22:00.001-07:00

From the Modesto Bee.

Modesto took the lead, Waterford followed and now a third city, Ceres, is considering taking action to curb teen drinking parties. The Ceres council will vote on the proposal today, which means it could take effect later this summer. That will be too late to affect graduation and Graffiti parties, but underage drinking parties have become a year-round concern. Waterford passed the ordinance earlier this month, making it effective June 16. So far, the approach is the same — penalties of $500 for the first offense by adults who host parties at which teens are allowed to drink. Family gatherings are excluded. Eventually, we hope all nine cities and Stanislaus County will adopt the same ordinance. Consistency will make it fair and will send a unified message against underage drinking and the irresponsible adults — some parents, some older siblings and friends — who allow it.

San Diego CrystalMess

2007-05-18T11:06:00.001-07:00

'Drug Store' a taste of deadly reality for kids

2007-05-16T10:45:00.000-07:00

From the Modesto Bee. HUGHSON — Detention had nothing on Lucas Fisher's day at school.

The eighth-grader at Ross Middle School spent 15 minutes Tuesday polishing the shoes of his trash-talking cellmate in a simulated juvenile hall cell on his school's lawn.

"I was feeling really scared," Lucas said after bolting from the cell. "I thought I was going to be here the whole day."

Stanislaus County sheriff's deputy Bret Silveira fixed a deadly stare on Lucas' classmates as he gave them a small taste of what they could expect behind bars.

"This is my house and these are my rules," Silveira barked at the students, a pair of stained, jail-issued underwear hanging from the bars. "Punks like you are gonna take care of me forever."

..."She started crying, I started crying. As soon as they put the handcuffs on her I just couldn't handle it."

Read the the complete story here.

Underage drinking, marijuana targeted in Waterford

2007-05-10T11:36:00.001-07:00

From the Modesto Bee. The City Council is poised to push adult-aided underage drinking and medicinal marijuana out of town.

At a meeting Thursday night, council members accepted an ordinance putting in place a fine of up to $1,500 for adults who let minors drink at private parties.

"I think we have to create a safe environment for our children in this community. You want carrots and sticks, and this is a stick," said Mayor William Broderick-Villa.

Adults guilty of allowing minors to drink at parties will pay $500 for the first offense, $1,000 for the second and $1,500 for the third if the infractions fall within a 12-month period.

The point is to encourage adults to supervise minors who may be drinking, and deter adults from tolerating or encouraging it, City Attorney Corbett Browning said in a report to council members.

Inspired by the death of his sister following a party nearly 25 years ago during which adults provided the alcohol, community activist Robert Stanford of Modesto has been urging cities to pass similar ordinances.

"I just wish it had more teeth and no clock," he told council members.

The ordinance will come back to the council for approval May 17. If adopted, it will take effect June 16.

At the May 17 meeting, council members also will consider an ordinance prohibiting medicinal marijuana dispensaries.

Modesto, Ceres and Patterson have banned them, and most cities in the county have moratoriums on dispensaries.

Council members were supposed to hear the ordinance Thursday, but Browning asked them to hold off so he could broaden its language.

Even without the ordinance, medical marijuana dispensaries are temporarily banned in Waterford. The temporary ban expires in July.

While people occasionally call the city asking about how to open a dispensary, no one has tried to do so, City Administrator Charles Deschenes said during an interview in March.

Driven out of No. 1

2007-05-10T11:33:00.000-07:00

From the Modesto Bee. Finally, some progress. For the first time in three years, Stanislaus County is not the car theft capital of the country, according to statistics released today by the National Insurance Crime Bureau.

The Modesto area — encompassing all of Stanislaus County — dropped to No. 5 with 1,006 thefts per 100,000 residents.

NICB spokesman Frank Scafidi applauded the Modesto area's "dramatic improvement," adding that local efforts should set an example for neighboring communities struggling with high theft rates.

Despite the drop, not all local law enforcement officials are pleased.

"Nobody should breathe a sigh of relief," Modesto Police Chief Roy Wasden said. "We're still way too high. I'm happy we're not No. 1, but with all that effort and a 32percent reduction in the city, I wanted to be out of the top 10."

Officials also promised to target what they believe is the underlying cause of auto theft: methamphetamine abuse.

"Given the meth epidemic we have here, I'm not surprised we're still in the top 10," Sheriff Adam Christianson said. "In every property crime we investigate, there's always a meth element."

Wasden agreed, noting that even as auto theft rates continue to drop, other crimes, such as recyclable metal thefts, soar.

"It's like you squeeze the balloon here, and it expands over there," Wasden said. "We must deal with (methamphetamine) addiction. Ultimately, if we get people into treatment and get them drug free, that will affect property crime."

Sober up our kids by raising taxes on 'alcopop' beverages

2007-04-26T10:58:00.000-07:00

From the Modesto Bee Community Opinion Page. In my youth we did Gallo White Port with lemon juice from lemons that we picked from the neighborhood trees and squeezed ourselves. For the sophisticate, we served up shoplifted sloe gin mixed with 7-Up. Then Boone's Farm and other juicified wines arrived. Mostly, though, we became drunks the same way our fathers and uncles had — on beer.
Today, alcohol corporations bombard our kids with a host of exotic beverages, given rock 'n' roll names with seductive-looking labels, at exorbitant prices. Today, boys are selectively seduced by rounds of alcoholic elixirs and girls are bewitched by brews and potions that promise endless excitement.
On May 7, the state Assembly will consider Assembly Bills 345, by Lori Saldaña, D-San Diego, and 346 by Jim Beall Jr., D-San Jose, which would establish that "girlie drinks," "alcopop," "cheerleader drinks," "starter drinks," "energy drinks," "Jell-O shots," "mists," etc., will be classified as malt liquor.
These are pop names for alcoholic beverages designed and marketed for entry-level drinkers, code for underage drinkers, especially girls. This legislation would remove alcopops from 15,000 convenience stores and reclassify them to a higher-taxed liquor category and, in turn, up their prices. The expectation is that they would be priced out of the youth market. Additionally, the higher tax classification might generate revenue, as much as $54 million, that could be directed to alcohol abuse treatment for youth.
The bills are part of a strategy against the liquor corporations that, like the tobacco giants, purposely target underage drinkers. Apparently, the logic is to hook kids early and establish their purchasing loyalty even if it means bad health, alcoholism, maiming or death for some. About 20percent (11 million) of America's alcohol consumers are underage.
The legislation is defense against an onslaught of sweetened, prettified alcoholic drinks. They're pimped under labels using fruit juice and cool jargon as a cover for their alcoholic character. They even contain "natural additives" such as ginseng and caffeine to make them appear like soft drinks.
Girlie drinks attract 12- to 14-year-olds more than 25- to 30-year-olds by a rate of 76 percent to 36 percent, according to national research done in 2004. The packaging for these drinks is designed with the underage drinker in mind, and labeling of alcohol content is purposely vague and difficult to read. Even the placement of these products in stores is done so that consumers have difficulty distinguishing them from soft drinks. Advertising is geared toward underage drinkers, using technology popular with youth, such as text messaging, music videos and stylish clothing with liquor logos.
Recently the Stanislaus County Children's Council was presented the opportunity to support passage of AB 345 and AB 346. Lee Honoré Means, executive director of Girl Scouts Muir Trail Council, serves on the Children's Council. Means proposed that the council send correspondence to seven San Joaquin Valley legislators, encouraging them to support these bills. The council did.

DEA: Flavored meth use on the rise

2007-03-27T14:05:00.000-07:00

From USA Today. Reports of candy-flavored methamphetamine are emerging around the nation, stirring concern among police and abuse prevention experts that drug dealers are marketing the drug to younger people. Among the new flavors are strawberry, known as "Strawberry Quick," chocolate, cola and other sodas, Robertson said. One agent reported a red methamphetamine that had been marketed as a powdered form of an energy drink, he said

HBO Addiction

2007-03-23T15:00:00.000-07:00

From HBO. The Addiction Project is produced by HBO in partnership with the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) and the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA). Visit the website to view the documentry online.

New tool to fight teenage drinking

2007-03-19T12:32:00.000-07:00

From the Modesto Bee. Modesto adults who let minors drink alcohol at private parties can be punished with up to $1,500 in new fines under an ordinance the City Council approved Tuesday night.

Police drafted the measure to help officers crack down on teenage binge drinking, which health officials say often occurs in the home.

Besides the fines, people who break the ordinance could face misdemeanor criminal charges.

"I'm glad that we finally have a tool so we can discourage this type of activity in the venues where underage drinking occurs," said Modesto police Detective Mike Hicks, who developed the law over the past few months.

The measure allows officers to punish party givers in ways that state laws do not by lowering the threshold for evidence that police must collect to build cases against adults who allow minors access to alcohol.

Under the city ordinance, officers can assume party hosts know when they let minors drink. It requires hosts to take steps to block minors from getting alcohol, such as by checking identification.

Under state law, officers would have to prove that adults knowingly provided alcohol to an underage person. Hicks said that often requires seeing the suspect hand a drink to someone younger than 21 or finding witnesses to identify those who give alcohol to minors.

Neighboring cities likely will face votes on similar measures soon. Linda Jue, coordinator for a Stanislaus County program that surveys teens about alcohol use, said she is preparing to take it to the Stanislaus County Board of Supervisors and the Turlock City Council.

Read the complete story at ModBee.com

Social host ordinance will help plug keggers

2007-03-12T11:13:00.000-07:00

From the Modesto Bee.

Several recent events should be a community wake-up to the extent and seriousness of underage drinking:

The death of a 19-year-old Modestan last weekend believed to be the result of alcohol poisoning. He had been drinking rum, celebrating a planned move to Colorado.

Charges pending against a Grayson woman accused of hosting parties for teens — and having sexual relations with two boys.

The police investigation of a Beyer High dad who allegedly bought kegs of beer for his 17-year-old son's party with friends.

Tuesday, the Modesto City Council will consider a Police Department proposal for a city ordinance that would fine people for hosting underage drinking parties. The timing is not coincidental. Authorities would like to have the law in place before the graduation season and end-of-the-school parties.

Many parents and other adults have developed a relaxed attitude about teenage drinking — that it's inevitable, that it's better than drugs, that it's something everyone does at that age.

Parents know their teens are drinking, suggests one 18-year-old, but they don't want to ask about it. Many teens don't consider their own drinking a problem because they only drink on weekends and don't drink alone.

But studies suggest binge drinking is frighteningly common. Just last week, the U.S. surgeon general spoke on the issue. "Too many Americans consider underage drinking a rite of passage to adulthood," said Dr. Kenneth Moritsugu. "Research shows that young people who start drinking before the age of 15 are five times more likely to have alcohol-related problems later in life. New research also indicates that alcohol may harm the developing adolescent brain."

Of particular concern locally and nationally is binge drinking — teens who consume four or five drinks within an hour or two. Some teens think nothing of it, not realizing they end up too impaired to drive and possibly put themselves at risk of alcohol poisoning.

Under the proposed Modesto ordinance, adults who host or permit gatherings at which minors are allowed to drink could be fined $500. The penalties would increase to $1,000 for the second and $1,500 for the third offense within 12 months. The ordinance is modeled after one used in other areas of California. The ordinance specifically excludes family gatherings.

A social host ordinance won't cure underage drinking, but it's one step to deter it. Adults who abet and condone something that is illegal and unhealthy should face some consequences.

The Modesto council will meet at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday in the basement of Tenth Street Place. The meeting is televised live on Comcast Channel 7.

Acting Surgeon General Issues National Call to Action on Underage Drinking

2007-03-06T13:05:00.000-08:00

A Press Release from the U.S. Surgeon General's Office. In its first Call to Action against underage drinking, the U.S. Surgeon General's Office appealed today to Americans to do more to stop America's 11 million current underage drinkers from using alcohol, and to keep other young people from starting. Read more here.

Alcohol suspected in death at going-away party for teen

2007-03-06T08:56:00.000-08:00

From the Modesto Bee. A 19-year-old Modesto man was found dead Sunday morning after friends say he drank nearly a pint of potent rum at a going-away party for him the night before.

Modesto police are investigating Sid Skibinski-Gonzales' death to determine whether to file criminal charges against adults at the party who were old enough to purchase alcohol, Sgt. Craig Gundlach said.

The coroner has not determined the official cause of death, said Gundlach, but police said they believe the young man died of alcohol poisoning.

Adults are in danger of dying from alcohol poisoning when their blood alcohol is 0.30 percent to 0.40 percent, which is four and five times higher than the level at which a person is considered too intoxicated to drive.

Young people who are binge drinking run a higher risk of alcohol poisoning because their bodies have not built up a tolerance for alcohol, said Madelyn Schlaepfer, associate director of Stanislaus County Behavioral Health and Recovery Services.

Skibinski-Gonzales was getting ready to move with his family this week to Cortez, Colo. He had plans to attend college and study architecture and communications in Boulder. He wanted to pursue a career in music.

Saturday, he attended a goodbye party early in the day with cousins, his grandmother and other family members.

"He had a lot of enthusiasm and he had a really big heart," said his cousin Victoria Jackson, 22, of Modesto. "He was very helpful for his mom. He was the man of the house." Read more here.

Stanislaus County Alcohol and Drug Prevention Plan Problem Statements

2007-02-26T11:19:00.000-08:00

Click the link below to view the "Problem Identification" Power Point presented to the Prevention Partnership.

Stanislaus County
5-Year Alcohol and Other Drug Prevention Plan
Problem Statements

Prevention Tactics

2007-02-16T08:36:00.000-08:00

How Communities Adopt Change

"No single policy or program measure will be effective. Rather, a broad mix of initiatives is required, with the interventions varying according to the circumstances of each country"–WHO (1999). What in the World Works? International Consultation on Tobacco and Youth.

A Comprehensive Community Approach to Methamphetamine Prevention

Methamphetamine can feel like a "larger than life" issue and trying to address the problem can feel even more overwhelming. That is why it is so important to approach the problem from a variety of fronts and with an arsenal of tactics. As with any good prevention effort, the approach must be comprehensive.

Underage Binge Drinking: A Community’s Problem, A Community’s Solution

September, 2002 marked the beginning of a new year for students of the elite high school in upstate New York known for its elevated test scores and affluent population. Like many other high schools across the nation, Scarsdale hosted its homecoming dance one Friday night that fall. Like many other high school students across the nation, Scarsdale students celebrated their homecoming by showing up to their school dance drunk.

The IOM Model: A Tool for Prevention Planning and Implementation

In recent years, prevention planners and policy makers have focused increasingly on identifying populations with differing prevention needs. Greater focus on diverse population needs will help meet multiple policy and planning objectives by better aligning need and services, and supporting more efficient allocation of resources. Importantly, it will also strengthen implementation and use of evaluation and evidence-based practice.

State Incentive Grant Survey Findings

2007-02-14T08:27:00.000-08:00

Recent Modesto Bee news stories and editorials have highlighted the 2005 State Incentive Grant survey findings. Below is a link to a summary report of those findings.

Behavioral Health and Recovery Services
State Incentive Grant
Intervention Evaluation Report
September 2006
Harold Stanislaw, Ph.D.
Jamie McCreary, Ph.D.

"A Madness Called Meth:" The original series

2007-02-14T08:20:00.000-08:00

From the Modesto Bee. A few years ago, a thin woman walked through the front doors of the Stanislaus County coroner's office in Modesto. She probably was in her 30s, but her wrinkled skin and gaunt appearance made her look far older; she was the unmistakable embodiment of methamphetamine life. Read more here.

Wreck points up proposal to punish adults

2007-02-14T08:17:00.000-08:00

From the Modesto Bee. The Patterson car wreck that injured a dozen teens after they drank alcohol allegedly offered by an adult at a house party last week underscores a common theme in efforts to limit underage alcohol use:
Most Stanislaus County high school students who drink alcohol say they get alcohol from their homes. One in four say parents knowingly provide alcohol to minors, according to a 2005 survey. Read more here.

Police: Father bought beer for teen party

2007-02-14T08:15:00.000-08:00

From the Modesto Bee. Authorities traced alcohol found at a teenage party in Hughson to a father suspected of buying kegs of beer for his 17-year-old son, Modesto police reported Friday. Read more here.

On the road with the Party Patrol

2007-02-14T08:14:00.000-08:00

From the Modesto Bee. Up to 90 high school students are spending their Saturday night partying in a big workshop near Hughson, out in the country where they figure no one will notice. Most probably have told their parents they are going to a friend's grandparents' house for a birthday party. And that's sort of true, because the girl whose grandparents own the property and two classmates are celebrating their 18th birthdays. But the grandparents aren't around, and it's doubtful the kids really 'fessed up that they were going to a kegger, even though some of the kids apparently kicked in money to buy the beer.
Apparently at least one parent was complicit in all this. It's learned later that he purchased the kegs and helped load them into the back of a vehicle to be driven to the party by a minor.
These kids come from several Modesto high schools and include all ethnic groups, though most are white. A number are athletes. They are the kind we label "good kids." Read more here.

Adults who help teens drink

2007-02-14T08:12:00.000-08:00

From the Modesto Bee. Stanislaus County is back in the media spotlight, this time because a Grayson mother allegedly bought alcohol for teens and had sex with two teenage boys. The latter is the element that has people talking and TV cameras rolling.
The frustrating thing about this sensational case is it diverts attention from a pervasive social problem — the growing number of adults who condone and even host underage drinking parties. Read more here.

CHP reports rise in holiday arrests

2007-01-06T08:37:00.000-08:00

From the Modesto Bee. In the Modesto area, DUI arrests jumped to 26 this year from 16 last year. DUI arrests more than doubled to 19 in the Merced area this year, according to the CHP.

The trend of more arrests was seen statewide during the CHP's maximum-enforcement period this New Year's weekend. The CHP reported 1,481 DUI arrests this year, compared with 1,145 last year.

As part of its enforcement effort, the CHP had warned that it would look for drunken drivers and arrest those with blood alcohol levels over the legal limit of 0.08 percent.

There were fewer fatalities reported during the holiday: 28 people were killed in crashes within the CHP's jurisdiction, compared with 34 last year.

CHP officials credited the decline in deaths to the officers who worked the holiday weekend, increased public awareness and motorists who reported drunken drivers by calling 911, as directed by electronic highway signs.

Read the complete story here.

Poll Shows Parents Afraid to Talk

2006-12-26T10:43:00.000-08:00

From the The White House Office of National Drug Control Policy. The White House is urging parents to sharpen their conversation skills and monitor their teen's activities, after a new poll shows that most parents have difficulty getting through to their teens about important subjects, especially drug use. According to a new survey by VitalSmarts, most parents of teens indicate that they are even afraid to talk to their teens about everyday issues...Read the complete story here.

Crucial Conversation Resources

Crucial Conversations Conference Call: Parents, Teens, And Drug Use

Crucial Conversations Open Letter

Abuse of prescription drugs by teens on the rise

2006-12-21T09:34:00.000-08:00

From the Parents: The Anti-Drug. There is good news to report to parents today! This year’s Monitoring the Future (MTF) survey shows that teen drug use has declined by 23 percent since 2001 for 8th, 10th, and 12th graders combined.

These declines are due in large part to YOUR efforts as parents. You’ve been monitoring your teens’ activities, taking the time to speak with them, listening to and answering their questions, and that work is paying off.

A parent’s work is never done though and despite the encouraging news, there is an area of growing concern. Abuse of prescription drugs by teens has been on the rise and parents need to be aware of the potential dangers of these drugs if they are abused.

Read the complete story here.

Teens try cough medicine for a high

2006-12-07T09:01:00.000-08:00

Even middle schoolers are abusing the drugs with alarming effects.

From the LA Times. Teenagers' use of over-the-counter cold and cough medicines to get a cheap high — a practice known as "robotripping" — is rising 50% a year and becoming one of the fastest-growing drug abuse (Recent news) problems in California and around the country, according to a study released Monday.Since 1999, teen abuse of Coricidin pills, Robitussin syrup and other common medications has risen 10-fold, data from the California Poison Control System show. The widely available and inexpensive medicines are growing in popularity while use of illegal drugs such as Ecstasy, LSD and the date rape drug GHB have dropped, according to the report."Hey, Mom and Dad, pay attention," said Marilyn MacDougall, executive director of the Orange County Sheriff Department's drug abuse prevention program. "Over-the-counter medicines are the upcoming way your kids are going to abuse drugs." Read more here.

Give a teen alcohol, get fined

2006-12-07T09:00:00.000-08:00

From the Modesto Bee. Officials (Including BHRS Prevention Services) propose charging adults $500 for first offense. Hosting a party where teenagers drink alcohol could become costly under a proposed law three Modesto City Council members advanced Monday. The law is aimed at making it easier for police to punish adults who provide booze to minors. It allows officers to break up private parties and levy minimum fines of $500 against adults who let teens drink.

Read the complete story here.

Thanks

2006-12-06T16:18:00.000-08:00

Thank you for participating in the Prevention Partnership meeting. We hope the information provided a general understanding of the alcohol and substance abuse/use issues in Stanislaus County. In the next few days, we’ll send you an email with next meeting date. Until then, please take time to review this site, which is full of information on the latest prevention research. Some of the questions in today’s meeting, such as, “why do youth drink?” are addressed in detail.

Again, thanks for your help!

Linda Jue
ljue@co.stanislaus.ca.us
525-5380

Ruben Imperial
rimperia@co.stanislaus.ca.us
681-6916

Forum for Youth Investment

2006-11-29T16:11:00.000-08:00

The Forum for Youth Investment (the Forum) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to helping communities and the nation make sure all young people are Ready by 21™ — ready for college, work and life. This goal requires that young people have the supports, opportunities and services needed to prosper and contribute where they live, learn, work, play and make a difference. The Forum provides youth and adult leaders with the information, technical assistance, training, network support and partnership opportunities needed to increase the quality and quantity of youth investment and youth involvement. Read More ...

How does marijuana use affect school, work, and social life?

2006-11-29T15:49:00.000-08:00

From NIDA.

Students who smoke marijuana get lower grades and are less likely to graduate from high school, compared with their nonsmoking peers."
Workers who smoke marijuana are more likely than their coworkers to have problems on the job.
Depression, anxiety, and personality disturbances are all associated with marijuana use.
Moreover, research has shown that marijuana's adverse impact on memory and learning can last for days or weeks after the acute effects of the drug wear off
Marijuana's effects on the brain can cause cumulative deterioration of critical life skills in the long run.

Read the complete report here.

Montana Meth Project

2006-11-08T17:50:00.000-08:00

From the Montana Meth Project. Methamphetamine use by young people in Montana is dramatically higher than the national average and the majority of all drug-related federal sentences in Montana are related to methamphetamine; clearly indicating there is a meth epidemic in Montana. These and a host of other facts have compelled leading professionals and organizations to form the Montana Meth Project, a community prevention effort aimed at the methamphetamine problem in Montana. Read more about the project here.

The ADP Continuum of Services System Re-Engineering (COSSR) Task Force: Final Report and Recommendations

2006-11-07T12:11:00.000-08:00

In May 2006, the California Department of Alcohol and Drug Programs began an initiative to re-engineer the AOD services system. The first phase of the initiative is the design of the proposed re-engineered system of services. After examining the current system of providing AOD prevention, treatment, and recovery services, the COSSR Task Force developed a set of recommendations to guide the implementation and integration of a continuum of services (COS) model in California. We invite you to review the report and provide your comments and any additional recommendations by completing the on-line form by November 17, 2006. These comments will be considered by ADP in Phase II of this process when the COSSR Task Force develops the plan to implement the recommendations.
View Phase I COSSR Task Force Report

Teen Misuse Of Prescription Ambien On The Rise

2006-11-06T17:11:00.000-08:00

CBS) DALLAS. A health warning about the latest craze on the party scene. People are getting high -- not on an illegal drug or a prescription painkiller -- but on one of the most popular sleeping medications in this country. Ambien is the best-selling prescription sleeping pill in the United States. Doctors wrote more than a quarter million prescriptions for it last year alone. But the government is concerned that some people, including kids, are abusing this little pill. They say it makes them high and even black out."I'd fall over. I had blurred vision, weird hallucinations," said one student. Read the complete story here.

Why do Adolescents Drink?

2006-11-06T16:21:00.000-08:00

From NIDA. Adolescents say they drink for many of the same reasons as adults. Alcohol-related expectancies are well formed by age 12, among drinkers as well as among those who have never consumed alcohol. Although it is always difficult to know if individuals can accurately report the reasons for their behavior, including drinking, both adolescents and adults indicate that alcohol is an important ingredient in social interactions, allowing them to lower their inhibitions and feel more relaxed in social situations . Read the complete report here.

Lessons from Prevention Research

2006-11-06T16:20:00.001-08:00

NIDA Report. The Lessons from Prevention Research are the result of long-term research studies on the origins of drug abuse behaviors and the common elements of effective prevention programs. These principles were developed to help prevention practitioners use the results of prevention research to address drug use among children and adolescents in communities across the country. Parents, educators, and community leaders can use these principles to help guide their thinking, planning, selection, and delivery of drug abuse prevention programs at the community level. Read the complete report here.

Elementary School Prevention

2006-11-06T16:18:00.000-08:00

From NIDA. Prevention programs for elementary school children should target improving academic and social-emotional learning to address risk factors for drug abuse, such as early aggression, academic failure, and school dropout. Education should focus on the following skills (Ialongo et al. 2001; Conduct Problems Prevention Work Group 2002b):• self-control;• emotional awareness;• communication;• social problem-solving; and• academic support, especially in reading.Read the complete report here.

Methamphetamine Prevention

2006-11-06T16:16:00.000-08:00

The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) continues to support research to develop effective drug abuse prevention programs. In 2003, NIDA revised its Preventing Drug Use Among Children and Adolescents: A ResearchBased Guide for Parents, Educators, and Community Leaders, which presents updated researchbased prevention principles, an overview of program planning, and critical first steps for those learning about prevention. Because the goal of drug abuse prevention efforts is to prevent the initiation of drug use, most of these prevention efforts are not targeted toward any specific drug. However, recent results also demonstrate that these universal prevention programs can be effective at reducing methamphetamine abuse specifically. Read the complete report here (Prevention p.28).

Institute of Medicine Strategy to Prevent Underage Drinking

2006-11-06T16:14:00.000-08:00

In 2002, Congress allocated $500,000 to the Institute of Medicine (IOM) of the National Academy of Sciences to create a strategy to reduce and prevent underage drinking. The legislation called for a review of existing federal and state alcohol prevention programs to establish a more effective underage drinking campaign housed in the Department of Health and Human Services.
In September, 2003, the IOM released a comprehensive strategy to address underage drinking. The report, “Reducing Underage Drinking: A Collective Responsibility,” calls for a collective effort to address the problem from many constituencies, including alcohol manufacturers and retail businesses, the entertainment industry, and parents and other adults in local communities.
You can read the Campus Health and Safety summary of the report here.

Model Prevention Programs

2006-11-06T16:13:00.001-08:00

The SAMHSA Model Programs have been tested in communities, schools, social service organizations, and workplaces across America, and have provided solid proof that they have prevented or reduced substance abuse and other related high-risk behaviors. Programs included have been reviewed by S AMHSA's National Registry of Evidence-based Programs and Practices (NREPP). You can find a complete list of Model Programs here.

Community Prevention

2006-11-06T16:11:00.000-08:00

A report from NIAAA. Community action is essential to preventing problems associated with drinking alcohol, and especially those related to heavy alcohol use among youth and young adults. The rationale behind targeting communities instead of a subgroup of young people, such as those enrolled at a particular school, is compelling.Community strategies that focus on changing the local environment to decrease heavy drinking and reduce alcohol problems, among all age groups or specifically among young people, have the potential to effect structural changes in the community drinking environment that could have an especially broad and long-lasting impact on drinking behavior.Read the complete article here.

The Crowd Project

2006-11-06T16:09:00.000-08:00

The State Incentive Grant (SIG) for the Reduction of Binge Drinking-Related Problems Among Youth and Young Adults is a collaboration between Stanislaus County Behavioral Health and Recovery Services and the Center for Human Services. Behavioral Health and Recovery Services (BHRS) provides management for the project. BHRS has contracted with the Center for Human Services to provide staffing for the project.The objectives of the project is to develop and implement a prevention plan in Stanislaus County that will reduce binge drinking among youth and young adults, ages 12-25 and reduce access and availability of alcohol to youth under age 21.Learn more about the Crowd Project here.

Party Patrol

2006-11-06T16:08:00.001-08:00

In 2004/2005, the Modesto Police Department identified several underage-drinking parties hosted by minors who were attending these parties without any adult supervision. On every occasion when the Police Department responded the minors’ parents were out of town or away from the residence. Many of these juvenile drinking parties were hosted in the month of June due to several high school graduations and also hosted around school events such as homecoming, and other related sporting events. The Modesto Police Department developed “Party Patrol” in order to deal with these problems. Over the past several months, the Modesto Police Department has responded to numerous juvenile drinking parties. The Modesto Police made contact with approximately 375 juveniles and adults. Eighty-five of these minors were found to be under the influence of alcohol. Similar types of problems also exist in the rural areas of Stanislaus County. The Modesto Police Department has had a great deal of success conducting “Party Patrol” in order to deter minors from consuming alcohol and hosting these types of parties. Since “Party Patrol” was established, the Modesto Police Department has seen a reduction in alcohol related injuries and deaths related to juveniles and alcohol. The Modesto Police Department has developed a first-time offender juvenile alcohol education, prevention and intervention program. Minors contacted by the “Party Patrol” will be cited and required to attend diversion classes. The diversion class is a 4-hour class attended by the minor offender and their parents. The goal of the class is to make minors and parents aware of the dangers related to minors consuming alcohol.

The Cost of Prevention

2006-11-06T16:07:00.001-08:00

A report from the Southwest Prevention Center.

Holder (2000), in his research study on environmental (universal) strategies, reports a cost savings of $2.88 for every dollar spent.

Ten of the twelve Youth Substance Abuse Prevention Programs reviewed demonstrated positive cost-benefit ranging from $3.43 to $102.29.Read the complete report here.

Prevention Policies

2006-11-06T16:04:00.000-08:00

According to a report released by the Alcohol Epidemiology Program at UOM, to effectively prevent or reduce social and health problems associated with alcohol use, public health researchers address alcohol-related problems at the population level by promoting and evaluating alcohol control policies. The links below lead to descriptions of a variety of alcohol control policies.

Policies to Reduce Youth Access to Alcohol

Policies to Restrict Alcohol Advertising

Policies to Reduce Sales to Intoxicated Patrons

Alcohol and substance abuse is the number one health concern within Stanislaus County.

2006-11-06T16:01:00.000-08:00

According to the Stanislaus County Health Services Agency Community Assessment Survey in 2005, Alcohol and substance abuse is the number one health concern within Stanislaus County. HSA conducted the survey as part of the Mobilizing for Action through Planning and Partnership (MAPP) project.

Key alcohol and substance abuse findings:

35% drank alcohol within the last month
56% of the drinkers binge drank (5 or more drinks) on at least one occasion in the last month
11% rode in a vehicle with a drinking driver in the past month
8% used illegal drugs in the past year
Out of the alcohol drinkers, 14% used illegal drugs

California Student Survey

2006-11-06T15:59:00.000-08:00

Three Major Findings from the 11th California Student Survery

First, California students' overall use of drugs and alcohol is leveling off; however, there is a slight increase in 7th graders' substance use, which the CSS will be monitoring.

Second, CSS findings from a new question on prescription painkillers show a significant number of students are taking them to get high: 15 percent of 11th graders, 9 percent of 9th and 4 percent of 7th graders reported they took the painkillers without a doctor's orders. These results place diverted prescription drugs as the third most commonly used substance by students, after alcohol and marijuana.

Third, the heavy use of drugs and alcohol -- an example is binge drinking -- is still at unacceptably high levels. Thirty-two percent of 11th graders are heavy users of alcohol and drugs -- that is basically the same finding from the previous survey in 2003-04. Their numbers have remained relatively unchanged for the last 15 years that the survey has been reporting on heavy use.Read the complete report at SafeState.org

Older Adult Prevention

2006-11-06T15:58:00.001-08:00

TIP 26: Researchers are only beginning to realize the pervasiveness of substance abuse among people age 60 and older. Until relatively recently, alcohol and prescription drug misuse, which affects as many as 17 percent of older adults, was not discussed in either the substance abuse or the gerontological literature...read more.

From SAMHSA. Older adults are uniquely vulnerable to substance use disorders due to a variety of biological, psychological, and social changes associated with aging. Older adults have an increased risk for misuse and abuse of medications, as they use a higher number of prescription and over-the-counter medications compared to younger adults...Read More

What is Prevention?

2006-11-06T15:56:00.000-08:00

Prevention is any activity that is intended to reduce or minimize the incidence of drug abuse and its negative consequences.Central to drug prevention is the development and implementation of programs that prevent illicit drug use, keep drugs out of neighborhoods and schools, and provide a safe and secure environment for all people.Prevention strategies can vary widely but generally are associated with community based collaborations, education, alternative behaviors, and primary and early intervention activities.To give communities the science-based tools to prevent drug abuse, we must have research in several emerging areas of prevention.These principles and guidelines were drawn from literature reviews and guidance supported by the departments of Education, Justice, and Health and Human Services as well as ONDCP.Read more.